Please don't be so hard on yourself because heroin is what killed your son / daughter / loved one. Nothing could have prevented it. No matter how many times you intervened or didn't, how many times you tell him / her you love him /her, or how many rehab programs he had been in. Heroin took hold of him / her that fateful first time s/he used it. No matter what you did or didn't do, he was going to pass from this. The addiction is so strong...we have no idea how powerful. Your son / daughter / loved one did not go out to get "high"... s/he used because his / her thoughts were so tortuous and s/he was feeling guilt and shame...s/he used because it would make him /her numb so s/he could escape that mind torture for a bit. Honestly it is that simple.My Lexi was 28 when she passed on Sept 21st of this year. She suffered every single day whether she was using or not. Because she was addicted. No matter what we did for Lexi to help her to get clean she ultimately always went back until it eventually killed her. It is nearly impossible to stay drug free because the rehabs and the recovery tools are completely inadequate. Addicts need long term treatment. They need to learn how to live on the "outside" where they face the true challenge when heroin is staring them in the face because it is everywhere. Without effective programs we will continue to lose our children. We have to tell them : do not use heroin even once. That first time is what eventually leads u to death...sooner than later. Our children dont want us to torture ourselves...they know what it's like. We are already mourning their deaths...they don't want us to suffer even more.The most important thing is that our children know we loved them. We continue to love them. And really, they are still here with us. Just in a different way.

​ This page is dedicated to all the amazing children who have lost their lives to heroin addiction and to their parents who adored them. WE are bonded through our children forever. These are their stories. The unconditional love and support we have for each other carries us through each day. It gives us a bit of hope.I am forever grateful for these wonderful people who reached out to me during my darkest despair while they, themselves were living in their darkest days.-Susan-

Ryan Matthew DiPierro

My son, Ryan Matthew DiPierro, died of an accidental drug overdose on August 13, 2016, at the young age of 27. I would like you to know more about Ryan, than this sad, unfortunate way that his life was cut short.

Mark Perrin

​I would like to introduce you to my youngest son Mark Perrin. He lost his battle to addiction on 1/19/16. He was born on 8/1/88. He is "forever 27". He was the most personable, intelligent & witty young man I've ever known.

The Detective calls me at 5:50pm on Christmas Eve to say he tried to come to my house to speak with me, but I wasn’t home. He then asks if I’m somewhere I can speak privately and my stomach drops. I tell him to go ahead and he gives me the news. I hit my knees on the ground and start whimpering.